Obituary of Jean Frances Poirier

It is with a sad and grateful heart for a life well lived that Shelley the daughter of Jean Frances Poirier (nee Smith) announces the passing of her mother on Monday, February 24th, at the Saint John Regional Hospital. Jean was born in Swan Creek, NB on March 15, 1926, and is the daughter of the late William Rufus Smith and Mildred F. Forrester. Jean was just shy of her 94th birthday. Jean was the glue that binds and the matriarch of a large family of siblings, and is predeceased by all. Her Smith brothers were Russell and Roy both of Saint John, Harry and Clarence both of Fredericton, sisters Beatrice Schleyer of Fredericton, Anne Hetherington of Arizona, Christine Whitlock of Fredericton, and Frances Sansone of Saint John, and her infant sister Myrtle. Jean was also predeceased by her husband, the love of her life…Romeo. She was his “Bridie” everyday of their 25 year marriage, in which they loved, lived and worked side by side. They shared their love for each other with their “chosen” daughter Shelley who will carry this gift with her forever. Jean was a caring loving supportive wife and mother. Jean Poirier, a woman of great faith, read her bible, believed in its goodness and it provided her comfort. She is a member and supporter of the Lancaster Baptist Church. Throughout the years she belonged to various committees and groups and was always ready with a pie, cheese and cherry sandwiches, or to help make pots of soup whatever was asked she was happy to help. She loved her church family. A businesswoman when that term wasn’t used, an entrepreneur for 70 years. Along with the two Jean and Romeo's Beauty Salon’s she ran with her husband, she started the Panda Wool Shop on Main Street in Fairville, and Manawagonish Bed and Breakfast. She was always a positive role model for the younger women worker she employed. She set a good example for those around her and did not ask anything she wasn’t prepared to do herself. Jean leaves behind not only Shelley, but the laughs and love from her son in law Peter Flood, and their loving boys Patrick and Sean who loved her like a grandmother. Jean had a special relationship with all her nieces and nephews in Saint John, Fredericton and also her Bathurst family that she shared with Romeo. A special thank you to Ron, Dan, Mark and Chris, their wives, Alvaretta, Pam, Michelle and Kelly, her great nieces and nephews and a couple of great greats in Ben and Kate for the special attention and love they gave to her in her later years. A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Dierdre England along with the professional and compassionate nursing team of 4BS and Dr V. Chandra and the medical team of the Emergency Department at the SJ Regional Hospital. Resting at Castle Funeral Home, 309 Lancaster Avenue, Saint John 506-634-1701. Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 27 from 2 – 4 PM and 6 – 8 PM. A Funeral Service will take place on Friday, February 28th at 12:00 Noon at Lancaster Baptist Church, 87 Church Ave West. Interment will follow in Ocean Memorial Gardens Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Canadian Cancer Society or the charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences can be made at castlefh.com